Altered Carbon
Netflix | Release Date: February 2, 2018
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 128 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
77
Mixed:
30
Negative:
21
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
SankarriMar 1, 2020
The main conflict of the series could be solved with [memory recording], which is already used in the second episode, which would prove Kovach innocent ...
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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3
peppergFeb 29, 2020
Disappointing. An uninteresting story line, dull/generic fight scenes that happen way too often, characters you don't care about played by actors lacking in charisma, and it brings nothing new to hard sci-fi. About the only thing this hasDisappointing. An uninteresting story line, dull/generic fight scenes that happen way too often, characters you don't care about played by actors lacking in charisma, and it brings nothing new to hard sci-fi. About the only thing this has going for it is the production quality, which is above average for a tv show. I can only guess that the source material sucks, which would make it nearly impossible to make a show worth watching.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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6
AWESOM-0Jan 17, 2020
Not terrible but it does miss the mark on some of the important things that made the novel good. Not just talking details, but about some of the little things that made the characters likable.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
notwistMar 13, 2020
The writing for this show is at times abysmal. Instead of world building and deep character development, time is filled with cliche interactions, basic tropes and fight scenes. It's a shame, the source material is very interesting and I'mThe writing for this show is at times abysmal. Instead of world building and deep character development, time is filled with cliche interactions, basic tropes and fight scenes. It's a shame, the source material is very interesting and I'm personally a huge fan of cyberpunk, but this one feels like it was thrown to the interns.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
BengalsfanAZMar 19, 2020
I have watched both seasons several times and absolutely love it. I must admit that I was not sold until I was a few episodes in, but I got completely hooked on the dystopian worlds and amazing visuals. In the first season, Joel Kinnaman isI have watched both seasons several times and absolutely love it. I must admit that I was not sold until I was a few episodes in, but I got completely hooked on the dystopian worlds and amazing visuals. In the first season, Joel Kinnaman is amazing. It took some time for me to grasp the complicated story and what was going on. There are a lot of technical and psychological references that are beyond me! I still really enjoyed the series and wanted to see more. When season 2 came out I was skeptical. I watched the whole season and now I crave even more. Bottom line is, if you like dystopian, futuristic sci-fi with heavy action, you will love this series. In my opinion, it's like a Blade Runner series set many years in the future with better effects.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ixdudeMar 8, 2020
It's really nice sci-fi TV show, however they have changed the tone of second season. Is less darker and less focused on main story. Also, Netflix had to added a lot of PC tones, which adds nothing to the story, but slow downs the pace. IIt's really nice sci-fi TV show, however they have changed the tone of second season. Is less darker and less focused on main story. Also, Netflix had to added a lot of PC tones, which adds nothing to the story, but slow downs the pace. I liked cast of Season 1 better.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
YsegrimSep 6, 2022
S1 is one of the best, if not the best series of all the Netflix originals, the actors and producers packaged and delivered a great story well. The second season on the other hand is just cheap and it's a pain to see so much potential wasted.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
AbomlolMar 1, 2020
Enjoyed Season 1 and thought it had the fantastic potential for growth, quite similar to Westworld Season 1 -> 2. Unfortunately, just like Westworld, Season 2 of Altered Carbon wriggles around in what should be a more profound realization ofEnjoyed Season 1 and thought it had the fantastic potential for growth, quite similar to Westworld Season 1 -> 2. Unfortunately, just like Westworld, Season 2 of Altered Carbon wriggles around in what should be a more profound realization of the Sci-Fi created in Season 1, become reductive and bland. There are glimmers of proper development, but they're overshadowed by two-dimensional characters in which we vest nothing. The spectacle and illusion are beautiful, but that's about it.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ComandanteCobraMar 4, 2020
Season one: Very good, hard sci-fi, a little old school (in a good cyber-punk way). Season Two: Not good. Dull. Only pew pew pew and bad ones too. Sadly.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
dumptydoMar 12, 2020
Altered carbon season one...GREAT!

Altered carbon season two...RUBBISH!
Anthony Mackie’s character has the depth of a teaspoon that’s been flattened with the weight off a terribly written script. It feels cheap. It feels rushed. Such a shame.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
Huey_KratosFeb 23, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the ending made absolutely no sense he had been spouting all about family throughout the series and those that matter to him. But in the end, he chose someone he met just in a few days or weeks over his own sister who had been searching for him for hundreds of years and then killed her. Talk about character continuity ....ruined it at the end and you were so close.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
olltekaMar 3, 2020
Season 2 review: Unfortunately quite dull writing, cheesy lines and mashed up story. No hint of the grit, cynicism or any meaningful exploration of the theme of immortality and its consequences in the first series. The love story introducedSeason 2 review: Unfortunately quite dull writing, cheesy lines and mashed up story. No hint of the grit, cynicism or any meaningful exploration of the theme of immortality and its consequences in the first series. The love story introduced in the first season comes to bite now, I find it hardly believable. Envoy intuition and total absorption in the moment close to 0 (unless narrated in a dialog a couple of times). The show is more about nostalgia and fear of memory loss. Father-son sort of relationship exploration that goes nowhere. Main "evil character" is more annoying, not really being a threat to anyone. Every part of the plot is foreseeable as it sticks completely to cliches, no real surprises. Plot ruined, atmosphere ruined. And that is without even starting to compare it to the original source material.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
yusepMar 7, 2020
Season 1 - 8 - good
Season 2 - 1 - disaster

Average 4.5 - sad it ended this way.

Season 1 - 8 - good
Season 2 - 1 - disaster

Average 4.5 - sad it ended this way.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
5
streetspirit666Mar 5, 2020
Ordinary. Full of tropes and stereotypes you've seen a million times. Nothing special here really.
Biggest issue I have: it lacks imagination (which is a huge fault in a sci fi). I'll give you an example: Po as an AI is exactly like any otherOrdinary. Full of tropes and stereotypes you've seen a million times. Nothing special here really.
Biggest issue I have: it lacks imagination (which is a huge fault in a sci fi). I'll give you an example: Po as an AI is exactly like any other human in the show's universe. The writer couldn't imagine how a fully functional general AI would be, so they just wrote it/him as a human in a hologram.
Also changing actors for the same character is a big mistake IMO. the actors act the characters in very different ways, as if it's a completely new character. Gestures, accents, everything changes when actors change. You might as well think the 2nd season is about a completely new character, and you would be correct to think so.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
TavoMolinaMar 11, 2020
2nd season is crap. The same old boring story re-re-re-rewritten as in any other mindless tv series or movie. The arc of Poe is the only thing worthy of mentioning.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
jugadorhardcoreJul 14, 2019
I wonder which scifi and cyberpunk series the press considerate better than altered carbon, since they put a 6. In it genre is the best ever!
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
NthyMar 1, 2020
Perfection, there aren't any shows like it. Is like blade runner mixed with a little cloud atlas.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
HellipopJun 5, 2019
Amazing!!! Amazing!!! Amazing!!! Amazing!!!! Amazing !!! Amazing !!! Amazing!!! Amazing !!!
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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8
BgmanFeb 28, 2020
Finally a deeper look into this Cyberpunk like future. Hood action and intelligent villains makes the story better than most recent sci-fi. Anthony does a great job in the role as well.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
AEnima202Mar 2, 2020
Even better watching it the second time through! Great action, effects are best watched at night on a big screen. Enjoy!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
truerockAug 26, 2020
Update:
I've been reading reviews of season 2 and I've reevaluated the cause of the series demise. I was wrong to think it was too expensive... and yes, maybe it was too complicated for the average viewer...
The problem was Anthony MackieUpdate:
I've been reading reviews of season 2 and I've reevaluated the cause of the series demise. I was wrong to think it was too expensive... and yes, maybe it was too complicated for the average viewer...
The problem was Anthony Mackie playing the role of mercenary Takeshi Kovacs. It did not work. This is not so much a knock against Anthony Mackie as realizing the difficulty of casting, writing and acting a lead role.
All the elements came together when Joel Kinnaman played the role of mercenary Takeshi Kovacs. This should be a warning to producers...
If you are fortunate to find an actor/writer combination for role that woks well, do not mess with it. You are unlikely to get lucky twice.


*************************************************************
I had to watch the first season for a second time to fully understand and appreciate the story line. Amazing production value that must have cost Netflix a fortune. I don't think there is anyway a series this complex can continue to fit into a Netflix budget.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
PlacidDragonMar 3, 2020
The problem with writing a review for Altered Carbon is that Season 1 and Season 2 are two different shows.

Season 1 is gritty, very well acted, and has a compelling story (it gets muddled towards the end). Overall very enjoyable, and i'dThe problem with writing a review for Altered Carbon is that Season 1 and Season 2 are two different shows.

Season 1 is gritty, very well acted, and has a compelling story (it gets muddled towards the end). Overall very enjoyable, and i'd give that 9/10.

Season 2 is....the polar opposite.. bad acting, except for the actors it brings with it from Season 1, the sets look like sets with 20 extras, not something "real". This is entirely the wrong role for Anthony Mackie, he is terribly miscast. The story is simple enough, but dialogue has gotten simplistic, gone is all nuance of the world. Gone are the complex characters of season 1, its become inhabited by cartoon villains and soap quality actors. In short, its downright terrible.. if i am VERY kind, and try to have the good season 1 in mind, i'd give it a 3/10.. and that is probably being too generous..

I rated the series as a whole as 8, on the strength of its debut season...… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
xdestronAug 30, 2022
Season 1 is pretty good if you're in the mood for high Sci-fi. Rating: 8

Season 2 is just not good. Rating: 2

I'll average it out at 6.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
MeritCobaSep 10, 2020
I really don't care what the novel told, since I didn't read it and even if I did program makers are in my opinion free to tell their own stories. And us to criticize them for it. A comparison is valid, just to spite the makers if the sourceI really don't care what the novel told, since I didn't read it and even if I did program makers are in my opinion free to tell their own stories. And us to criticize them for it. A comparison is valid, just to spite the makers if the source material is better, and here is the thing: I hope that novel was less boring than this.

The first season was interesting because it introduced us to a new world with new things to explore. I liked the Poe character. I liked the sleeved idea less as it opened a can of worms that never got fixed. If you can just re-sleeve death stop to have meaning and if death stops to have any meaning, it should impact your society profoundly. But its impact isn't really explored and it feels shallow and just a cool feature to the story. Yes, it is suggested that only the most wealthy can pay for it, but this is never felt to be an issue. lead to revolts or whatever.

Also the protagonist, while played by a likable actor, was pretty cliche. Some kind of resistance fighter that got brought back to life to solve a murder he had no stake in. His main drive is reconnecting with his lost love. It never is explained why this particular guy is resurrected, except well, that he is.


The problems surface in season two where we see the main hero being re-sleeved twice in the first episode alone. Wait, wasn't this something only the rich could afford? So how come he can do it twice? It feels like he is just having a change of clothes. It is devoid of meaning and feels more like an excuse to shove in other actors or to have people killed without consequences.

And the story. Well, the protagonist gets hired by a rich dude to protect him from unnamed killers, but he gets killed before the protagonist is back from being re-sleeved. So our protagonist has to solve the murder because that way he can find his lost love.

Wait a minute:... that is almost beat for beat the story from the first season!

But really. I don't care to find out who killed this person that I hardly know nor do I care if our hero finds his love because he probably won't as we need to allow for a third season. This quest is just a MacGuffin. What really made me stop watching was when they came up with the Yakuza. Seems the protagonist wasn't just a resistance fighter but apparently also in league with one of those groups. Oh and he hates the rich, except for the Yakuza boss: he respect him.

The final nail in the coffin was when Yakuza boss started to reminisce about the past. Those were the times.You know, murdering and murdering and murdering. And also drugs pushing, forced prostitution and extortion. Oh wait, not this guy of course. He never wanted that. Because you know, homicidal gangsters are in their hearts well-meaning good guys who are just misunderstood, or forced to do stuff against their will by society and the cops. Blame them, not us.

Yeah, right.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
OlrikusJun 1, 2020
-- NO SPOILERS REVIEW --
It is easy to understand why people are so conflicted in their opinions about the show - season 1 and 2 are completely different in tone, style and actors.
I personally like both, but I completely understand why-- NO SPOILERS REVIEW --
It is easy to understand why people are so conflicted in their opinions about the show - season 1 and 2 are completely different in tone, style and actors.
I personally like both, but I completely understand why people who were hooked up by the first season were utterly disappointed in the second one.

The first one while flawed was really brought to life by actors and had very good action scenes and provocative themes of Cyberpunk-Noir mix. I would give it 7/10 or even 8/10 if you agree to forgive pacing issues of the second half of the season and some presentation issues.

Second season for me has more focused and less broad, completely different genre (Sci/Fi drama) and unfortunately with just okayish action scenes (my biggest complaint for the second season). It is also important to understand that season 2 starts after 30 years after season 1 and at that time main character is almost completely burned up and this is the main reason why second season is so different in tone and character but I would give it 9/10 without any hesitation IF you are okay with changed actors and theme.

I hope this show would get its 3rd season and show makers would understand that changing actors might work for then, but changing genres each season is a risky road and will divide most of the fans who might not have broad genre interests.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
jsharbourMar 28, 2020
Lots and lots of style with very light substance due to mediocre writing and really dreadful dialogue.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Jeebus117Jan 25, 2021
Soooooo sad to see this one go. Season 2 was very good. Season 1 was an absolute masterpiece. The depth. The tones. The futuristic grit. Mixing the familiar with the non. Using sci-fi elements to comment on today's issues. Around episode 3, ISoooooo sad to see this one go. Season 2 was very good. Season 1 was an absolute masterpiece. The depth. The tones. The futuristic grit. Mixing the familiar with the non. Using sci-fi elements to comment on today's issues. Around episode 3, I knew this show was meant for me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
KamamuraMar 20, 2020
Tries so hard to be the new Neuromancer or Blade Runner, but in the end, falls flat on the face. Unlike in Dick's or Gibson's works, there is no vision, no poetry, only pretense and rattling old props. So the story leans on the woke garbageTries so hard to be the new Neuromancer or Blade Runner, but in the end, falls flat on the face. Unlike in Dick's or Gibson's works, there is no vision, no poetry, only pretense and rattling old props. So the story leans on the woke garbage that is standard on Netflix today - women are bossy, make every decision and hit twice as hard in fight then men, men are bumbling wrecks stumbling around. There is nothing memorable after watching, just a foul aftertaste.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
arostislavnaNov 30, 2021
Season one is incredible, season two not so much until it wraps up.

Tries real hard to tell a futuristic story about what Imperial America has done to the Indigenous (and the Japanese, Vietnamese, Russians, Bikini Atoll, etc.) I wouldSeason one is incredible, season two not so much until it wraps up.

Tries real hard to tell a futuristic story about what Imperial America has done to the Indigenous (and the Japanese, Vietnamese, Russians, Bikini Atoll, etc.)

I would hardly call it "woke". It tells a story of rebellion against the imperial empire.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
doroutMay 16, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off the concept of this TV show is incredible, but that does not save it. The delivery and the story, omg, the story is so terrible.

So.. Takeshi Kovacs is supposed to be the most elitest of elite soldiers, the last envoy, a legend and myth, but rather than being all of those complementary soldier things, instead he is running around like a detective. You would think that he would be doing unthinkable things related to his solider-esk mentality and skill, but he does absolutely nothing impressive throughout all of s1. The worst of s1 is the pathetic love story. Like.. come on. To iterate, this dude is supposed to be the LAST ENVOY and the most skilled soldier, but as far as I can tell, he is just a regular Joe. DISAPPOINTING!

In s2, it's a repeat of s1, but Takeshi has a new sleeve that is apparently military grade with spliced k9 genetics and all of this other fancy stuff. What do we see? NOTHING yet again. You get more of the lame and predictable love story nonsense. I couldn't even get beyond the first couple of episodes. I was bored out of my mind.

I just don't get it. I have no problem with the cast. Anthony Mackie is a great actor. Renee Goldsberry was great. Chris Conner, absolutely phenomenal acting. I can go on and on. Netflix had everything in their favor, but the overall story and the stupid nonsensical love story destroyed their potential.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
JannyasiaApr 2, 2020
Season 2 fails in everything season 1 achieved. I personally don't think anyone should waste their time on this.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
Serg888Jul 19, 2020
It's so meh and doesn't let you invest in any characters. You just don't care about the story it's trying to tell. Just meh !!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Hope101Jun 30, 2020
Amazing TV series, brilliant storyline and presentation, excellent actors and even better thrilling effect. My all time sci-fi series! Just perfect!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
teddymikkiJul 9, 2020
Season 1. Simply awesome. A huge world, brutal and full of violence. Interesting story line and the main idea of it. Now i want to read the books.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
SebaRandJan 14, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good story, its season 1 is splendid but in season 2 it decayed a bit with that change of main character but hey, we will have to wait what happens and if there is a 3 season or not… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
signsJan 29, 2021
An interesting story, something different from your average show. Season 1 was a 9/10 for me, season 2 is more of a 2. It's a good thing that they've cancelled this show, instead of continuing with a third season they should remake season 2An interesting story, something different from your average show. Season 1 was a 9/10 for me, season 2 is more of a 2. It's a good thing that they've cancelled this show, instead of continuing with a third season they should remake season 2 first. Normally I'd say if you have nothing to do it's okay to watch a 'bad' movie or series, but in this case just don't... Just keep it with season 1 and forget that season 2 exists.

Imho I think it's actually an achievement to start something so good and then just f*ck it up so bad.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
matasugepulaApr 1, 2022
First season is amazing due to the ACTOR and MAIN ACTOR. why the **** did they put that **** nigro in the second one ? They ****ed up the whole f u c k i n g film with that monkey . That s why i am giving it a 3... if it was just the firstFirst season is amazing due to the ACTOR and MAIN ACTOR. why the **** did they put that **** nigro in the second one ? They ****ed up the whole f u c k i n g film with that monkey . That s why i am giving it a 3... if it was just the first season i would give a 10 !… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
RipslashJan 6, 2023
Season 1 is a 10/10 no doubt. Season 2 was still excellent, just a little more contrived.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
lavalukeJun 6, 2023
Rating only the first season. Could not get past the second episode of the second season, was much more boring.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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